Senior Business Product Manager - Defense Sector

Nokia Space and Defense exists to build the networks that modern defense demands. We deliver secure, reliable, resilient networks to NATO and allied nations globally and across all domains. Backed by Nokia Bell Labs and over a century of innovation, we’re solving complex challenges with innovative solutions that revolutionize defense communications. Join us and become part of a team pioneering next-generation connectivity across some of the most complex and mission-critical environments.

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Senior Business Product Manager to join our team, with a specific focus on the Defense sector in the US, to join the Space & Defense team in the Mobile Networks MW & CSN Business unit, for a challenging experience addressing RAN (4G, 5G, Small Cells) solutions for various Defense projects and customers more specifically in the US in support of NFS (Nokia Federal Solutions). Note also that support to rest of the World might be needed. Customers and partners will range from Department of Defense, Ministries of Defense, Defense integrators, Non-Terrestrial Networks actors, DAS, TETRA and Legacy customers.

The Space & Defense Product Management team is located mainly in the US and in France, supporting customers globally in the US, in Europe, in Japan. 

SD2025

• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with Defense industry stakeholders, understanding their needs, and translating them into key requirements for the internal team.
• Visit customers to support the sales team in presenting solutions, addressing queries, and actively participating in the signing of new contracts. Comfortable interfacing and standing in front of the customer at all levels of the organization.
• Conduct in-depth market analysis to identify key trends, opportunities, and challenges in the Defense sector related to RAN technology.
• Ensure opportunities’ generation working closely with the Sales/Business Development team on both existing and new customers through organizing workshops, customer visits, executive visits with the objective to influence tenders.
• Actively participate in the response to Requests for Proposals, Requests for Quotations, and Requests for Information for Defense projects.
• Work closely with TPM (Technical Product Management), R&D engineering, sales, pre-sales, marketing, and other teams to ensure a cohesive and effective go-to-market strategy.
• Oversee the entire product lifecycle from concept to end-of-life, ensuring successful product launches and continuous improvement.
• Develop and maintain accurate product forecasts, considering market demand, production capacity, and other relevant factors.
• Keep track of the budget, ensuring efficient allocation of resources for innovation and development.
• Take ownership of the projects full Profit & Loss performance, actively driving project profitability, revenue growth, and cost optimization.
• Conduct rigorous financial analysis to assess the economic viability of Defense-focused RAN projects
• Alongside the Technical Product Management, develop and articulate a comprehensive product strategy for Defense applications, aligned with overall business objectives.
• Contribute to the development of the product roadmap with Technical Product Management and validate it ensuring alignment with business objectives and market demands.
• Collaborate with technical teams to translate business requirements into technical specifications.

• At least 10 years’ work experience supporting defense communication projects for the US government, preferably in a product manager role.
• Proven experience in business-driven product management, with a focus on RAN technology and Defense applications. Core knowledge is a plus.
• Very good financial acumen and experience with P&L management.
• Experience in actively participating in the response to RFPs, RFQs, and RFIs from the US Government
• Proficient understanding of the Defense industry landscape, including customer needs and procurement processes is ideal
• Strategic thinking and the ability to translate market insights into actionable product plans.
• Familiarity with regulatory frameworks in the Defense sector.
• Significant customer-facing interaction & experience is mandatory
• Very good interpersonal and networking capabilities & skills
• Bachelor’s degree, MBA or Master of Science a plus
• Demonstrated ability to build comprehensive business cases for new initiatives.

Prerequisite: Working with the US Government in the Defense sector, the candidate MUST be a US citizen.